Freed from the Law through Christ
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Key Verse: “Christ hath redeemed us from the curse of the law, being made a curse for us: for it is written, Cursed is every one that hangeth on a tree: That the blessing of Abraham might come on the Gentiles through Jesus Christ; that we might receive the promise of the Spirit through faith.” Selected Scripture: |
THE ACCEPTANCE OF Christ’s sacrifice is the basis for the believer’s relationship with God during the Gospel Age. Paul forcefully reminds the brethren that having received the Holy Spirit, it would be improper to place themselves under the bondage of the Mosaic Law, which could not offer life to any imperfect being.—Gal. 3:1-3
Paul also underscores the fact that God highly esteemed individuals who demonstrated faith even before the death of Christ and the opening of the Gospel Age, during which time the church is being developed. “Even as Abraham believed God, and it was accounted to him for righteousness. Know ye therefore that they which are of faith, the same are the children of Abraham. And the scripture, foreseeing that God would justify the heathen through faith, preached before the gospel unto Abraham, saying, In thee shall all nations be blessed. So then they which be of faith are blessed with faithful Abraham.”—vss. 6-9
The Bible also affirms that favor with God cannot be attained by sinners attempting to do the works of the Law. (Deut. 27:26) Only Jesus Christ, during his earthly ministry, was able to live up to the divine standard and fulfill its every feature because of his perfection and obedience to the will of God.—Gal. 3:11
Our Key Verse emphasizes the necessity of Jesus’ crucifixion to redeem those who were under condemnation because of their inability to keep the Mosaic Law. Additionally, the benefits of Christ’s death would extend to Gentiles in fulfillment of the Abrahamic Covenant through which all the families of the earth will be blessed.
God’s purpose for both Jews and Gentiles is to be accomplished through Christ, who is identified as the “seed” of Abraham. When the promised kingdom is established, this reality will be appreciated by everyone.—vs. 16
The purpose of the Law Covenant was to demonstrate to the Israelites their inability as sinners to keep God’s requirement for perfect obedience. It was also to prepare them to receive Christ when he presented himself as their Savior during his earthly ministry.—vss. 19-22
Except for a holy remnant who accepted the benefits of Christ’s sacrificial death on their behalf, the Jews as a whole remain under the curse of the Law Covenant, which will not be removed until the New Covenant is established.—Jer. 31:31
During this present Gospel Age, faithful Jews have been given an opportunity to become associated with Christ Jesus in bestowing future blessings to mankind. “There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female: for ye are all one in Christ Jesus. And if ye be Christ’s, then are ye Abraham’s seed, and heirs according to the promise.” (Gal. 3:28,29) How wonderful is this provision!